Superintendent John Stewart Addresses School Safety at Tiger Bay Club

Interim Superintendent of Schools John Stewart speaks to the Tiger Bay Club of Polk County lunch Monday at the Peace River Country Club in Bartow.

ERNST PETERS | THE LEDGER

By MERISSA GREENTHE LEDGER

Published: Monday, February 11, 2013 at 11:58 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 11, 2013 at 11:58 p.m.

BARTOW | In the aftermath of Monday morning's attack on a Lakeland school principal, security in Polk County schools was at the center of the discussion at the Tiger Bay of Polk County lunch in Bartow.

Interim Superintendent of Schools John Stewart told the gathering he opposes training school employees in the use of firearms as a school safety measure.

"I would not support untrained officers being armed to serve in the public schools," he said. "Too many things can go wrong. We need to have a qualified, law enforcement (officer) working there handling a gun."

Stewart said he had a conversation with Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd about what the School District can do to address school security. Someone from Judd's staff will help district officials develop strategies. Stewart did not elaborate on what those might be.

Stewart said school security has been a hot button issue following the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy that left 20 children and six adults dead in Newtown, Conn.

"This morning at Oscar J. Pope Elementary, right here in Polk County, a deranged person walked into the principal's office of the school and took a punch at the principal," Stewart told about 20 people at the Peace River Country Club. "That person was arrested and I hope is in jail right now."

Stewart was referring to Oscar J. Pope Principal Qvonda Birdsong. Her attacker cursed and threatened employees, and struck Birdsong three to four times with his fist, causing bruises to her arm, school officials said.

Stewart talked about other issues facing the district and funding was among them. Stewart said he knows about the requests to place a moratorium on school impact fees and he touched on Gov. Rick Scott's proposal to give teachers raises statewide.

"We hope the Legislature will take his recommendation and provide for them," he said about the teachers. "We need every dollar we can raise to build and deal with our infrastructure problems, of which there are many."

Another issue that will get attention from the School Board in the next few months is the need for an elementary school and high school serving the greater Poinciana area.

Stewart said the plan is to collaborate with another entity to build the high school and create more space for an elementary school.

Stewart said he is often asked what is the most important issue in education and his reply is early childhood education.

"Here is a statistic I think you should remember about early childhood education: The same number of students who come to school not prepared to learn that are in kindergarten is the same percentage of students who will not graduate from high school."

Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students should know their shapes, colors and letters but some don't. Some have few or no social skills, he said.

Stewart highlighted achievements in the district, including being selected as a first-place winner in the American School Board Journal's 18th annual Magna Awards program for programs that advance student learning and encourage community involvement.

<p>BARTOW | In the aftermath of Monday morning's attack on a Lakeland school principal, security in Polk County schools was at the center of the discussion at the Tiger Bay of Polk County lunch in Bartow.</p><p>Interim Superintendent of Schools John Stewart told the gathering he opposes training school employees in the use of firearms as a school safety measure.</p><p>"I would not support untrained officers being armed to serve in the public schools," he said. "Too many things can go wrong. We need to have a qualified, law enforcement (officer) working there handling a gun."</p><p>Stewart said he had a conversation with Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd about what the School District can do to address school security. Someone from Judd's staff will help district officials develop strategies. Stewart did not elaborate on what those might be.</p><p>Stewart said school security has been a hot button issue following the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy that left 20 children and six adults dead in Newtown, Conn.</p><p>"This morning at Oscar J. Pope Elementary, right here in Polk County, a deranged person walked into the principal's office of the school and took a punch at the principal," Stewart told about 20 people at the Peace River Country Club. "That person was arrested and I hope is in jail right now."</p><p>Stewart was referring to Oscar J. Pope Principal Qvonda Birdsong. Her attacker cursed and threatened employees, and struck Birdsong three to four times with his fist, causing bruises to her arm, school officials said.</p><p>Stewart talked about other issues facing the district and funding was among them. Stewart said he knows about the requests to place a moratorium on school impact fees and he touched on Gov. Rick Scott's proposal to give teachers raises statewide.</p><p>"We hope the Legislature will take his recommendation and provide for them," he said about the teachers. "We need every dollar we can raise to build and deal with our infrastructure problems, of which there are many."</p><p>Another issue that will get attention from the School Board in the next few months is the need for an elementary school and high school serving the greater Poinciana area.</p><p>Stewart said the plan is to collaborate with another entity to build the high school and create more space for an elementary school.</p><p>Stewart said he is often asked what is the most important issue in education and his reply is early childhood education.</p><p>"Here is a statistic I think you should remember about early childhood education: The same number of students who come to school not prepared to learn that are in kindergarten is the same percentage of students who will not graduate from high school."</p><p>Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students should know their shapes, colors and letters but some don't. Some have few or no social skills, he said.</p><p>Stewart highlighted achievements in the district, including being selected as a first-place winner in the American School Board Journal's 18th annual Magna Awards program for programs that advance student learning and encourage community involvement.</p>